The 10 Best Manga I Discovered Recently (Which Are Mostly Unknown).
As the manga industry continues its relentless expansion, it becomes a challenge to track every significant new series. As always, the mainstream series dominate conversations, however, countless gems of hidden gems ripe for exploration.
A key pleasure for a dedicated reader is stumbling upon a mostly obscure series amidst the weekly releases and then sharing it to friends. Here are some of the finest under-the-radar manga I've read in 2025, along with reasons why they're deserving of your time ahead of the curve.
Some of these series are still awaiting a broad readership, especially as they haven't received anime adaptations. A few are harder to access due to digital exclusivity. However, suggesting any of these will earn you some impressive fan credentials.
10. An Unassuming Salaryman Revealed as a Hero
- Writing Team: Ghost Mikawa, Yuki Imano, Akira Yuki, Raika Mizuiro
- Released by: Shueisha
- Available on: Manga Plus
This may seem like a strange choice, but bear with me. Manga can be silly, and there's nothing wrong with that. I admit that fantasy escapism is my comfort read. While this series diverges from the template, it embraces familiar conventions, including an overpowered main character and a game-influenced setting. The unique hook, however, is found in the protagonist. Keita Sato is your typical overworked Japanese corporate man who relieves pressure by exploring strange labyrinths that appeared in the world, armed only with a baseball bat, to defeat foes. He has no interest in treasures, power, or ranking; he only wants to maintain his double life, protect his family, and clock out punctually for a change.
More polished fantasies are out there, but this is an accessible title released by a leading publisher, and thus easily available to international audiences through a popular app. When it comes to digital availability, this publisher remains a leader, and if you're in need of a few minutes of silly fun, this manga is an excellent option.
9. The Exorcists of Nito
- Author: Iromi Ichikawa
- Publisher: Shueisha
- Find it on: Manga Plus
Ordinarily, the word "exorcist" in a manga title is enough to deter me due to the abundance of similar stories, but two series changed my mind this year. It evokes the finest elements of Jujutsu Kaisen, with its eerie vibe, stylized art, and sudden violence. A random click got me hooked and was immediately captivated.
Gotsuji is a formidable practitioner who eliminates cursed beings in the hope of avenging his teacher's death. He's accompanied by his mentor's sister, Uruka, who is focused on his safety than fueling his retribution. The plot may seem basic, but the treatment of the characters is subtle and refined, and the visual contrast between the absurd look of the enemies and the gory combat is a nice extra touch. This is a series with the capacity to run for a long time — should it get the chance.
8. Gokurakugai
- Artist: Yuto Sano
- Publisher: Shueisha
- Find it on: Manga Plus; Viz
For readers who value visual splendor, then search no more. Yuto Sano's work on this manga is breathtaking, detailed, and distinctive. The plot remains within to traditional battle manga tropes, with superpowered people fighting evil spirits (though they're avoiding that specific term), but the protagonists are distinctly odd and the setting is intriguing. The protagonists, Alma and Tao Saotome, operate the Gokurakugai Troubleshooter agency, handling issues in a poor neighborhood where humans and beast-men coexist.
The villains, called Maga, are created from human or animal corpses. In the former case, the Maga possesses abilities connected to the manner of death: a suicide by hanging can strangle others, one who ended their own life causes blood loss, and so on. It's a disturbing but creative twist that provides substance to these antagonists. It might become a major title, but it's limited due to its slower publication rate. Since its debut, only five volumes have been released, which makes it hard to stay invested.
7. The Call of War: A Bugle's Song
- Writing Team: Mozuku Sora, Higoro Toumori
- Released by: Shueisha
- Available on: Viz
This bleak fantasy manga examines the ubiquitous battle trope from a fresh perspective for shonen. Rather than focusing on individual duels, it depicts large-scale medieval warfare. The protagonist, Luca, is one of the Branched—those granted singular talents. Luca's ability enables him to convert audio into visuals, which allows him to direct soldiers on the battlefield, employing his instrument and background in a cruel mercenary band to become a powerful tactician, fighting with the hope of one day stepping away.
The backdrop is a little plain, and the addition of advanced concepts feels forced at times, but The Bugle Call still provided dark turns and shocking story pivots. It's a mature shonen with a group of eccentric individuals, an interesting power system, and an interesting combination of military themes and dark fantasy.
6. Taro Miyao Becomes a Cat Parent?!
- Creator: Sho Yamazaki
- Released by: Shueisha
- Find it on: Manga Plus
A cold-hearted main character who follows the philosophy of Renaissance thinker Niccolò Machiavelli and subscribes to ends-justify-the-means takes in a cute cat named Nicolo—reportedly for the reason that a massage from its small claws is his sole relief from tension. {If that premise isn't enough|Should that not convince you|If the setup doesn't grab you